Marine evacuation systems and methods

ABSTRACT

A marine evacuation system includes an escape vessel, a platform removably engaged with the vessel, and a conduit. The conduit can enable direct passage of personnel from the facility to be evacuated to the escape vessel, while the platform and conduit can be configured to engage a stabilization system while permitting vertical movement of the platform and escape vessel caused by wave motion. The platform can optionally include movable portions that allow rotation or other horizontal movement of the escape vessel relative to the platform, such as movement caused by severe weather. The system can be stored within a container or skid, with a winch or similar mechanism for deploying and retrieving the system. The container or skid and the chute can be adapted to protect personnel from fire, heat, smoke, explosion, and other hazards.

FIELD

Embodiments usable within the scope of the present disclosure relate,generally, to marine evacuation systems usable to launch escape vesselsfrom facilities, such as fixed or mobile offshore oil and gasfacilities, and more specifically, to modular systems and methods forlaunching escape vessels that can include an escape vessel, escapechute, and breakaway landing platform stowed in a skid or similarcontainer at a facility and deployable to sea level, such as through useof an internal pneumatically operated winch.

BACKGROUND

Evacuation during an emergent situation from an offshore vessel orfacility, such as an oil and gas platform, is primarily accomplishedusing davit or freefall lifeboats, which are mandated by international(e.g., IMO SOLAS) and various national laws. Enough space for 200% ofthe personnel on a facility or vessel must be accommodated by at leasttwo life boats located in a protected area of the facility; however, toenable evacuation of personnel that are unable to access the lifeboatsin an emergent situation (e.g., fire, explosion, etc.), an alternative“secondary” means of evacuation is also typically provided. Theprimarily alternative means of evacuation in use includes throw-over,self-righting life rafts, mounted at all deck levels around a facility.After deployment over the side of a deck, such a life raft free falls tosea level, where it can then be inflated from deck level by pulling on apainter line; however, after deploying and inflating the life raft,personnel must then find means of moving from the deck to sea level,which typically includes a knotted rope or rope ladder. Due to the factthat the decks of most offshore oil and gas facilities are at asignificantly higher elevation than that of most ship decks (80-120feet), maneuvering from deck level to sea level is hazardous and readilyresults in injuries and facilities.

To improve this situation and reduce risk, proposals have been made touse a davit to lower an inflated life raft to sea level; however, thisundertaking requires personnel to ride the life raft from deck level tosea level. Other methods include use of an open-mesh stocking connectinga deck-mounted frame or container to an open-boarding raft at sea level.Individuals can descend through the stocking, generally unprotected fromthe elements, fire, etc., to reach a large-diameter boarding raft thatis open to the elements, from which they must cross-board to one ofmultiple closed-canopy life rafts, which must be pulled into and tiedoff to the boarding raft. Therefore, many risks remain with thissolution. For example, use of an open mesh stocking provides noprotection to personnel from smoke, direct flame envelopment, or highheat flux, which are common phenomenon in such situations that requireevacuation, and all of which can incapacitate an evacuee and block theroute from the deck to the boarding raft. Further, the open boardingraft provides no protection from waves or weather, which creates thepotential for individuals to be washed overboard, slip and fall into thesea, or fall between the boarding raft and life raft during thecross-boarding process. Additionally, pulling life rafts to the boardingraft is a hazardous process, especially during moderate to severeweather conditions, as the rafts are heavy and difficult to recover andtie off. Also, by evacuating personnel into multiple life rafts thepersonnel are dispersed and therefore more difficult to recoverfollowing and emergent situation.

A need exists for systems that are both deployable and boardable, fromthe deck of a facility, and that can be boarded directly by a userwithout requiring cross-boarding or similar hazardous undertakings.

A need also exists for systems that protect personnel from emergentconditions, such as flames, heat, and smoke, during the evacuationprocess.

Embodiments usable within the scope of the present disclosure meet theseneeds.

SUMMARY

Embodiments usable within the scope of the present disclosure relate,generally, to an evacuation system for launching an escape vessel (e.g.,a single, high-capacity, inflatable life raft) from an offshore facility(e.g., a fixed or mobile oil and gas production, accommodation, and/ordrilling facility), that can be deployed from the deck of a facility tosea level (e.g., from within a skid-mounted storage container,deployable via a pneumatic winch or similar mechanism, which can bewithin the container). In an embodiment, a life raft can be deployed tosea level, the life raft being engaged with a buoyant breakaway landingplatform, while an escape chute extends from the deck of the facility orship being evacuated to the breakaway platform.

Once the life raft reaches sea level, it can be inflated, e.g., using apainter line thereof, which in an embodiment, can be connected to atensioner can or similar stabilization member deployed beneath thewater. As the life raft inflates, it can be deployed around thebreakaway platform. Once the escape chute is fully extended, personnelcan enter the chute (e.g., from the deck of the facility or ship beingevacuated), and pass down the chute to directly enter the life raft viathe platform. An embodiment can include use of an escape chute that isgenerally enclosed (e.g., formed from a close knit Kevlar material, withstructural stainless steel hoops connected at each cell by high tensilestrength Kevlar cables), and that is protected from fire, heat, and/orsmoke (e.g., through use of a protective outer sheath.) The breakawaylanding panel can be configured in a fixed orientation with regard tothe life raft or configured with a hoop bearing assembly or similarbearing/roller configuration that enables the life raft to moverotationally relative to the platform, such as when influenced by windor current. Embodiments can also include an associated stabilizationsystem for the escape chute, that extends through the landing platform.For example, while an escape chute can terminate at a life raft, cablesand/or associated portions of a stabilizing system can extend throughthe platform to below the sea level, such that the platform and/or raftcan move vertically responsive to waves and/or current due to theability of the platform to move vertically relative to the stabilizationcables.

After boarding, the breakaway platform can be detached from the liferaft, such as through disengagement of quick disconnect pins and/orclamps, enabling the raft to float free of the escape chute and awayfrom a hazard. The escape chute and/or platform can then be recoveredfor reuse, such as through use of a winch or similar mechanism.

Thus, embodiments usable within the scope of the present disclosure caninclude use of a telescoping, close-knit escape chute that is protectsevacuating personnel from fire, smoke, and/or gas, that can extend froma deck of a facility (e.g., a container secured on the deck) directly toan escape vessel, allowing individuals to board a life raft or similarvessel directly without requiring cross-boarding on an open platform.Use of such a system can also enable use of a single, high-capacityescape vessel, which can enable recovery of personnel by emergencyresponders much more efficiently, as all personnel can be recovered at asingle location. Embodiments usable within the scope of the presentdisclosure can further include a telescoping, close-knit, fire, smoke,and gas-protected escape conduit, securable between a deck of a facilityand an escape vessel, useable to protect personnel from emergentconditions, while also reducing the possibility of becoming snagged,stuck, and/or caught on conventional, open-mesh stocking.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate an implementation of apparatusconsistent with the present invention and, together with the detaileddescription, serve to explain advantages and principles consistent withthe invention.

FIG. 1 depicts a diagrammatic side view of an embodiment of a systemusable within the scope of the present disclosure, the system being in adeployed position for enabling passage from a facility to an escapevessel.

FIG. 2 depicts a diagrammatic side view of the system of FIG. 1 in astowed position.

FIG. 3 depicts a diagrammatic top view of the system of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 depicts a diagrammatic top view of an embodiment of an escapevessel and landing platform, engageable with an escape chute, usablewithin the scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 depicts a diagrammatic side view of the escape vessel, landingplatform, and escape chute of FIG. 4.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments usable within the scope of the present disclosure relate toevacuation systems and methods. A specific embodiment can include a skidor similar container/structure able to be secured to a deck or otherportion of a facility (e.g., a bolt-town skid frame with anover-the-side cantilever section), and a container mounted to the skidframe having a door (e.g., a rear door) or similar access feature andoptionally, hazard-resistant outer cladding. A pneumatic winch andassociated cables, pulleys, accumulators, drum, and structural supportscan be positioned within the skid; however, other types of mechanisms(e.g., mechanical, hydraulic, electrical) usable to deploy theevacuation system can also be used without departing from the scope ofthe present disclosure. In an embodiment, the container and/or skid canfurther include one or more lights (e.g., an internal, explosion-prooflighting system rated for hazardous area use, such as a classificationZone I Div 1 Class I light source). An escape vessel (e.g., ahigh-capacity, SOLAS-approved life raft) can be provided within theskid/container or within an associated skid/container (e.g., anopen-grid, lightweight support frame underneath or otherwise inassociation with the skid containing the other system components), and aconduit (e.g., a close-knit, telescoping, vertical escape chute havingan outer covering resistant to fire, smoke, and/or heat) can be providedin engagement with the escape vessel via a breakaway landing platformengaged therewith and configured for quick disconnect from the escapevessel. An embodiment of the landing platform can include a first memberportion relative to a second (e.g., using a bearing/roller arrangement)to enable the escape vessel to rotate and/or otherwise move along ahorizontal plane relative to the conduit and/or platform. Astabilization system (e.g., cable tensioning cans) can also be providedin association with the conduit and deployed concurrently with theremainder of the system.

With reference to FIG. 1, an embodiment of a marine evacuation system isshown in which a container and/or skid frame (11) is positioned on thedeck (12) of a facility such that a forward portion/compartment (17) ofthe container and/or skid frame (11) extends outward from the deck (12)(e.g., overhanging therefrom) above a body of water (30). The containerand/or skid frame can be bolted to the deck (12) and/or any intermediatesupport structure. In an embodiment a skid frame can be attached toand/or otherwise provided into association with the deck (12) and acontainer housing the evacuation system can be bolted to and/orotherwise secured to the skid frame. The container and/or skid frame(11) can be designed to protect the contents and any personnel withinfrom smoke, fire, heat, and/or explosion.

A rear portion/compartment (14) of the container and/or skid frame (11)is shown having a pneumatic winch (4) contained therein, with associatedaccumulator bottles (15), while cables and/or wires (6) associatedtherewith extend from the rear portion/compartment (14) to theoverhanging portion of the container and/or skid frame to engage pulleys(21), such that the winch (4) is usable to deploy a telescoping escapechute (3) from the level of the deck (12) to the level of the body ofwater (30) below. An embodiment can include an electrical junction box(16, shown in FIG. 3) or similar components, for use providing power toone or more light sources within the container and/or skid frame (11)(e.g., explosion-proof fluorescent light units, one within eachcompartment of the container). External connections from the facilitycan be provided to the system to supply pneumatic air (e.g., 80-120psi), electrical power (120V A/C), and/or other sources of power and/ormotive force, as desired. Pneumatic and/or electrical terminations canbe provided in the skid frame and/or container (11), and electricalcomponents can be rated for hazardous area use (e.g., Zone I, Class I,DIV I).

FIG. 1 depicts the system in a deployed position, the escape chute (3)extending from the level of the deck (12) to the body of water (30),terminating at a breakaway landing platform (9) engaged with a highcapacity life raft (2) (e.g., using one or more pins, clamps, etc.adapted for quick removal/disconnection). The stabilization cablesand/or wires (6) are shown extending through orifices (10) in thelanding platform (9) to engage stabilization members (5), shown astensioner cans, beneath the surface of the water (30). The stabilizationmembers (5) are thereby usable to stabilize the chute (3), whilevertical movement of the platform (9) and/or raft (2), such as motioncaused by waves, is permitted due to the relative movement permittedbetween the platform (9) and cables (6). A painter line (7) of the raft(2) is shown attached to one of the stabilization members (5), such thatdeployment of the stabilization members (5) can cause inflation of theraft (2) during and/or after extension of the chute (3). The depictedescape chute (3) is shown having an aperture (23) near the upper endthereof, within the overhanging portion of the container and/or skidframe (11), an external fire proof chute layer (24) extending along atleast a portion thereof for protecting personnel from flames, heat,and/or smoke during evacuation, and structural stainless steel hoops (8)that connect portions of the chute (3) to one another.

FIGS. 2 and 3 depict side and top views, respectively, of the system ofFIG. 1 in a stowed position, in which the escape chute (3), life raft(2), and platform (9) are retracted into the container and/or skid frame(11) for storage and protection thereof. Specifically, the life raft (2)is shown folded and/or otherwise positioned around the retracted/stowedchute column, supported by a lightweight grating (19). The escape chute(3) is anchored at its upper end to a support frame (13), and at itslower end to the breakaway landing platform (9). The stabilizationmembers (5) are shown underneath the grating (19), the grating (19)being deployable therewith and/or retainable with the life raft (2). Thelower portion of the forward compartment (17) is closed to theenvironment using a trap door (20) within the bottom thereof.

In use, the winch (4) can be used, in conjunction with the accumulators(15), to lower the platform (9) and raft (2) to the body of water (30)while extending the chute (3) to the position shown in FIG. 1. Continuedoperation of the winch can lower the stabilization members (5) andgrating (19) beneath the water (30), providing stability to the chute(3) while actuating the painter line (7, shown in FIG. 1) to inflate theraft (2). Use of a pneumatic winch enables operation thereof withoutrequiring external power, though it should be understood that othermechanisms could also be used to deploy the system without departingfrom the scope of the present disclosure. FIG. 3 shows three cablesand/or wires (6) extending from the winch (4) and passing through threeorifices (10) formed within the landing platform (9).

FIGS. 4 and 5 depict top and side views, respectively, of the life raft(2) engaged with the landing platform (9) and escape chute (3). Asdescribed above, cables (6) used to stabilize the chute (3) extendthrough orifices (10) in the platform (9) to engage stabilizationmembers (5), thereby allowing vertical movement of the platform (9)and/or raft (2) as the cables (6) pass through the orifices (10).Additionally, the depicted embodiment includes a landing platform (9)that permits horizontal and/or rotational movement of the raft (2).Specifically, a first portion of the landing platform (e.g., an interiorportion, such as a ring or hoop) can be engaged to the chute (3), whilea second portion (e.g., an exterior ring, hoop, or similar portion) canbe engaged to the raft (2) and/or any intermediate connectors (e.g.,webbing straps). Bearings and/or rollers between the first and secondportions of the platform (9) can permit relative rotation therebetween,such that the life raft (2) is able to move relative to the platform (9)in a horizontal plane, such as when affected by wind, waves, current,and/or other forces: FIG. 4 depicts an exemplary position of the raft(2) after rotational movement relative to the platform (9) using adashed line.

When evacuation of a facility is desired, the system can be deployed bylowering the chute (3), raft (2), platform (9), and stabilizationmembers (5) to the water (30) using the winch (4), after opening thetrap door (20) (e.g., by removal and/or manipulation of a retaining pinassembly or similar mechanism.) Once the raft (2) reaches the water(30), continued deployment of the stabilization members (5) beneath thewater (30) can cause inflation of the raft (2) about the platform (9),such as through actuation of a shortened painter line (7) of the raft(2) attached to one of the stabilization members (5). In an embodiment,during typical use, the stabilizing members (5) (e.g., tensioning cans)can be positioned 10-15 feet below the surface of the water (30). Thelanding platform (9) can retain the chute (3) in place through contactbetween the cables (6) and the sides of the orifices (10), andoptionally, through use of retaining clamps, pins, and/or other types offasteners, while the stabilization members (5) tension the chute (3) tomaintain the chute column and raft (2) in a stable position. The raftand/or platform can move freely up and down the cables (6) under theinfluence of wave and swell action due to the passage of the cables (6)through the orifices (10) in the platform (9).

After the system has been deployed, personnel can enter the chute (3),e.g., through the aperture (23), and transit directly to the life raft(2). The external layer (24) can protect personnel from fire, heat,smoke, etc. In an embodiment, the escape chute (e) can be designed withdiscrete compartments, each with a slide such that each person can movesthrough the chute column one cell at a time. On reaching the landingplatform (9) personnel can exit the chute (3) directly into the raft(2), thus eliminating the risks posed by exiting into a large diameteropen boarding raft and then moving across the boarding raft to attemptto pull and enter a separate life raft. To accommodate for wave actionthe chute (3) can be designed such that each compartment offers anopening, such that whichever compartment is at the bottom (e.g.,adjacent to the raft (2)), an aperture is present to enable personnel toexit the chute.

Once personnel have entered the raft (2) the raft (2) can bedisconnected from the platform (9), e.g., through removal/disengagementof pins (25) connecting the platform (9) to the raft (2) and/or tointermediate connectors, such as webbing straps. An embodiment caninclude a locking pin or similar member that retains the pins (25) inposition until removed and/or disengaged. After disengagement from theplatform (9), the raft (2) can move away from the facility, such as inthe direction indicated by arrows (26).

In an embodiment, the landing platform (9), chute (3), grating (19),and/or stabilization members (5) can remain in place for futureretrieval and/or reuse, such as through use of the winch (4). In anembodiment, if no pneumatic air supply is available from the facility,e.g., due to shutdown in an emergency, the accumulators can be providedwith sufficient capacity to recover the system without external air.

Embodiments usable within the scope of the present disclosure canthereby enable direct boarding of personnel from a facility into anescape vessel, without requiring cross-boarding or similar hazardousundertakings, and can further protect personnel from emergentconditions, such as flames, heat, and smoke, during the evacuationprocess.

While certain exemplary embodiments have been described in details andshown in the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that suchembodiments are merely illustrative of and not devised without departingfrom the basic scope thereof, which is determined by the claims thatfollow.

What is claimed is:
 1. A marine evacuation system comprising: an escapevessel; a platform removably engaged with the escape vessel; and aconduit engaged with the platform, wherein the conduit is extendablefrom a retracted position adapted for storage in a facility to anextended position adapted to position the escape vessel, the platform,or combinations thereof at a location remote from the facility.
 2. Thesystem of claim 1, further comprising a mechanism for extending theconduit, retracting the conduit, or combinations thereof.
 3. The systemof claim 2, wherein the mechanism comprises a pneumatic winch.
 4. Thesystem of claim 3, further comprising an integrated power source incommunication with the pneumatic winch, wherein the integrated powersource provides power to the pneumatic winch sufficient to enableretraction of the escape vessel and the platform.
 5. The system of claim1, further comprising at least one stabilization member engaged with theconduit.
 6. The system of claim 5, further comprising at least oneelongate member engaging said at least one stabilization member to theconduit.
 7. The system of claim 6, wherein the platform comprises atleast one orifice formed therein, and wherein said at least one elongatemember passes through said at least one orifice to enable relativevertical movement between the platform and said at least one elongatemember.
 8. The system of claim 5, wherein the escape vessel comprises aninflatable vessel and a mechanism for inflating the inflatable vesselengaged with said at least one stabilization member for enablingdeployment of said at least one stabilization member to actuate themechanism to cause inflation of the inflatable vessel.
 9. The system ofclaim 1, further comprising a skid frame, a container, or combinationsthereof adapted to contain the escape vessel, the platform, and theconduit when the conduit is in the retracted position.
 10. The system ofclaim 9, wherein the skid frame, the container, or combinations thereofcomprises a first portion positioned on a deck of the facility and asecond portion extending outward from the deck of the facility above abody of water.
 11. The system of claim 10, wherein the second portioncomprises a door in a lower portion thereof for enabling extension ofthe conduit therethrough.
 12. The system of claim 1, wherein theplatform comprises a first member engaged to the conduit and a secondmember engaged to the escape vessel, and wherein the second member isrotatably movable relative to the first member for enabling horizontalmovement of the escape vessel relative to the platform.
 13. The systemof claim 1, further comprising at least one pin engaging the escapevessel, a fastener connected to the escape vessel, or combinationsthereof, to the platform, wherein said at least one pin is adapted forquick removal to enable movement of the escape vessel away from theplatform, the conduit, the facility, or combinations thereof.
 14. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the conduit comprises a first opening incommunication with the facility and a second opening in communicationwith the escape vessel for enabling direct transport of personnel fromthe facility to the escape vessel through the conduit.
 15. The system ofclaim 1, wherein at least a portion of the conduit comprises an externallayer adapted to resist flame, heat, smoke, or combinations thereof. 16.A method for enabling evacuation of a facility, the method comprisingthe steps of: providing an escape vessel, a platform, and a conduitwithin a container, a skid frame, or combinations thereof disposed atthe facility; providing an opening in the container, the skid frame, orcombinations thereof; extending the conduit through the opening, fromthe facility to a remote location, wherein the conduit engages theplatform, and wherein the escape vessel is removably engaged with theplatform; and disengaging the escape vessel from the platform to enablemovement of the escape vessel away from the platform, the conduit, thefacility, or combinations thereof.
 17. The method of claim 16, whereinthe step of extending the conduit further comprises deploying at leastone stabilization member engaged with the conduit and passing at leastone elongate member engaged with said at least one stabilization memberthrough an orifice in the platform to enable relative vertical movementbetween the platform and said at least one elongate member.
 18. Themethod of claim 17, wherein the step of deploying said at least onestabilization member comprises actuating a mechanism engaged with saidat least one stabilization member to cause inflation of the escapevessel.
 19. The method of claim 16, further comprising the step ofrotating a first portion of the platform relative to a second portion ofthe platform thereby moving the escape vessel relative to the platformalong a horizontal plane.
 20. The method of claim 16, further comprisingthe step of retrieving the conduit, the platform, or combinationsthereof to the facility.